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9/13/15

An open letter about our journey to parenthood

What you’re reading now is possibly the tenth version of how
I’ve considered starting this blog. Maybe because it’s been so long since I’ve
posted, maybe because this very post is the one I’ve been thinking about for
almost a year, maybe because I haven’t even decided if I’m going to publish
this yet at all…maybe.

Football season started today, and right on queue, this
beautiful open-window-worthy weather has rolled into east Texas reminding us
all that Autumn is on her way. This is typically my favorite time of year. I zealously
bust out thin sweaters and cute scarves to wear if for no other reason than to
will the cool weather into town. But this weekend I’ve felt what I can only
equate to an emotional bracing taking place. A breath being held. A stiffness
in my heart.

This time last year my world was so hopeful, so full, and
above all so excited for the future as just mere months prior Justin and I decided after four years of marriage to go ahead and start trying for a family. I gleefully removed
foods from my diet, added books to my nightstand, and documented small moments
of the journey we were embarking on. I was certain that in no time at all we
would be well on our way to parenthood and these treasures would warm our
hearts down the road.

And really, it didn’t take long. On a chilly October
afternoon, after four months of trying, that second line showed up. Justin was
working late and I somehow managed to contain myself long enough to surprise
him the next morning with the news.We
were over the moon.

Sadly, this pregnancy, along with the two after in the
following six months, had gone almost before they’d come. And now I sit almost
a year later still grieving these losses, desperately wanting to be a mother,
and overwhelmed by the change a year can bring.

Scripture often follows the plees of the afflicted as they
fall into desperate cries for healing and acknowledgment and as they rise into
songs of praise. And as I’ve learned to identify with the lost, the defeated,
the barren, and the heartbroken, God has also taught me to see myself in the
redeemed, the comforted, the forgiven and the freed.

This letter will be messy, it will be imperfect and
scattered, but it’s the best I can do and I’m all right with that at this point.
I have been so overwhelmed with encouragement and a sense of community as I’ve
seen so many reach a place of vulnerability and share their struggle with a
seemingly invisible audience. It takes a lot, and it’s possibly why it’s taken
me so long – but the tugging on my heart has grown far too strong to ignore
anymore. Why? Because that audience is real. Because for those of you who are
friends with me on social media, family to me, and who are even perfect
strangers who have allowed the world into your circle of grief and loss – I am
grateful.It was the realization that I
wasn’t alone in all of this that helped me through restless nights. It was the
understanding that what is happening to me, isn’t so unbelievably rare that
pressed me towards hope. It was the knowledge that I was comforted by your
story, that has pushed me to share mine.

The amount that the Lord has taught me through this journey
is vast, and the fact that in His goodness He’s allowed me to see these
lessons, is awe-inspiring. I hope to post more in the future about these
things. But for now this letter was about ripping off the proverbial bandaid
and allowing you into my mess. It was about being overcome with a need to tell
someone out there reading now, that I understand.

The one bit I’ll leave you with is this…regardless of how
cliché or how many times you’ve heard it-and regardless of what season of life you find yourself in- the beautiful truth is that God is
Good. That His timing, friend…is GOOD. With tears streaming down my face I can
attest to the fact that it may not always feel that way, but this is the time
that we are pushed to a place where we rely on the creator and not our emotions
to trust in the truths we find in scripture. Never more than this day have I
yearned to be a mama. Never more have sweet cries of little ones reached into
the depths of my heart and pulled out more sorrow and more joy at once than I
ever thought possible. But friend, never more has God ever comforted me, and
never more has He made himself known as the stronghold in the storms of my
life.

Though I run the risk of this sounding like some horribly
predictable awards speech on cable television, I’m going to ignore that possibility and close this
out with a few thank you’s. To my husband, who has held strong against the ups
and downs of the roller coaster we’ve found ourselves on and who's embraces persisted stronger than the tears late into the night. Babe, you will be an amazing daddy
someday, and never when I said ‘I do’ did I realize the valleys we would travel
through hand in hand, but the gratitude I have that it is with you and no one
else is unimaginable. My Parents, who have truly met me where I am –wherever
I happened to be- in this process. For pouring love, prayers, and understanding
over me, for asking the hard questions, and for being the grandparents to my
unborn littles. My sister, Rebecca…for coming alongside me mere
months after an unimaginable loss of a newborn, and allowing me a safe place to grieve while
constantly reminding me a life is a life, no matter how small. My sweet
Grandmother who, second only to myself, was the first to know the moment I
learned I was going to be a mama – and who has never once stopped praying for
my heart, holding me near in thought, and interceding at the cross for my
future. And lastly my friends who
have surrounded me with support, tears, laughter, and love at every step. I am
humbled by the fact that God has found me worthy of your friendships, and I am
so grateful for your prayers, encouragement, listening ears, and support over
this last year.

For those of you wondering, YES we are still trying! Yes by
the grace of God and our availability to both traditional and alternative
medicines we know what may be causing these losses physically. Yes, I have an incredible OB, RE, and staff of nurses who know me all too well and are doing everything they can to walk us through this process medically. And Yes, we are
okay. We covet your prayers as we enter our third round of treatment this next
month, and we simply cannot wait to tell you when we are expecting again!

I can feel a weight lifting from me as I near the end of
this letter. Not because this has been some secret I’ve felt I had to hide, but
because it’s felt like a burden that I needed to share. Thank you for reading,
thank you for listening, I’ll post again sometime soon.

Sarah, I can hear your broken heart but also your incredible strength and courage. I can only admire your unwavering devotion to your faith...even through all of this. Throughout my adult years, I suffered several miscarriages, each one leaving a wound on my soul, but also a beautiful, perfect spirit to watch over me and encourage me to carry on. You are an amazing young woman, which I've learned mostly through following your parents on Facebook, but do remember you as a child my first year at TBE front office. I know in my heart, that your little wonder will come one day, bringing with him/her little pieces of each soul, you've lost...and when you look into his//her eyes, they will all be there looking back at their Mama, they love so very much...Thank you for sharing...you have a gift for words.Kara Souza

Kara, this made me weep. Its amazing to think you've known me this long, and to think one day that little girl in the office might have this struggle in common with you. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me...this really has opened my eyes to a quiet grief-stricken band of people, women, who feel so rare and isolated, but in reality are usually surrounded by one another unknowingly. What does the rest of your story look like? Were you able to carry children to term? Were your losses in between, before, or after your living children? Thank you again~

Isn'tit amazing how sensitive boxers are to your emotions? We have had 4 boxers and they so dear. Our

..first baby died soon after birth. I have never endured such grief. We shall see him again...oh happy dayYou will never forget your pregnancies. I am 71 now...never forgetting our baby. We had 3 more children and are enjoying 7 grandchildren. God bless you.

Thank you so much for sharing this. My friend sent me your blog. I resonate with your story on so many levels and am encouraged by your perseverance and perspective. I myself have written a blog which k have not yet shared with the world yet but hold your story close to my heart. To God be the glory.

My heart breaks for you guys! We haven't started trying yet but I find that more then half of my married friends seem to have trouble. I can't yet imagine what your going through, but I know that the Lord has you and Justin wrapped in his arms! We will be praying for you, and waiting to watch God be glorified as he answers your fervent prayers to Him! *HUGS*

I remember when we spoke many years ago, and you asked me for some wisdom about moving across the country to be with a man you felt so strongly was God's will for your life. Although hardly impulsive and very rational, realistic, and always considering the 'worst case scenario,' (a/k/a skeptical LOL) I prayed for you during that time, and I and had an incredible peace that your move was part of God's will for your young life. All that to say this: After I read your blog, tears stung my eyes and I just prayed for you all the way from NC on this chilly morning. Sarah, I have a peace that God will fill your womb with blessings in His time. I know you are grateful for every pregnancy and every loss, and I know you trust Him exclusively. In the meantime, this is your ministry, and the ministry of loss is a profoundly powerful one indeed. See? Even at this moment, you have made me SO grateful for my own children. You continue to live up to your namesake as such a faithful, obedient woman of God, sweet one. heart emoticon He sees all: Every pregnancy line, every tear, every shred of faithfulness. xxxooo

Oh, Sarah. I'm so sorry for your losses. I cannot imagine the world of hurt you guys have gone through. But I'm so thankful for your relationship with our Savior! And for allowing him to carry you through this. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah you are such a blessing to me and so many! Your words in this blog are so sincere and heartfelt. Thank you for your willingness to share and your heart to trust the Lord. He is in control. I continue praying for you and Justin and your future family. I love you so very much!!!

You are such a strong woman! And you are not alone through this! You have a wonderful family and support system that many do not have through these awful painful days. God bless you both and I pray for peace in your heart and soul. A child is a blessing and God knows you both deserve it!! You will be amazing parents regardless of how y'all get there!!